Division II Gulf South Conference Suspends Six Chowan University Players After Postgame Melee

The Gulf South Conference, a Division II league, has suspended six Chowan University players in the wake of a wild brawl after Delta State’s 42–18 win over the Hawks Saturday in Murfreesboro, N.C..

The conference announced the suspensions Monday afternoon, declining to identify the suspended Chowan players by name.

In addition, the conference said, “One of the six student-athletes will receive a season-long suspension and be barred from the travel squad and stadium for the remainder of the season” and “one non-team individual will be barred from the stadium for the remainder of the season.”

The fight, captured in several grainy social media videos, began after a routine run out of bounds by Statesmen running back Tamaj Hoffman. As officials separated the two teams following the play, a Delta State player shoved a Hawk and was promptly attacked by over a dozen Chowan players—at least one of whom swung his helmet during the fight.

Great footage here! pic.twitter.com/14R6cUIdTP
— Todd Cooley (@CoachToddCooley) September 10, 2023

As recounted in The Vicksburg (Miss.) Post, Statesmen tight end Adam Duncan was pinned against a fence by several other Hawks “as they continuously threw punches at him,” with a fan seemingly participating as well.

Chowan athletic director Patrick Mashuda apologized for the brawl on behalf of the Hawks athletic department Monday, calling the team's actions “deplorable” and “completely unacceptable.”